Monday, October 8, 2018

REVIEW: 'The Resident' - Conrad Insists That He Is No Longer the Same Man He Was Before in 'Three Words'

FOX's The Resident - Episode 2.03 "Three Words"

Nic and Conrad contemplate their past when they team up to diagnose a happy husband and wife who are both admitted to the hospital with mysterious symptoms. Bell and Marshall butt heads on a work trip when their cutthroat business tactics don't align. AJ turns down a request from Bell despite Mina's forewarning. Devon continues to gravitate to medical device rep Julian. The staff gears up for Conrad's three-year anniversary at Chastain.

In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of FOX's The Resident.

"Three Words" was written by Marqui Jackson and directed by Paul McCrane

The Resident opened with Conrad and Nic no longer as a couple. Their relationship existed before the show started. In fact, the only reason there seemingly was for rooting for them to be together was the insane chemistry between Matt Czuchry and Emily VanCamp. Over time, the show proved that they were able to rely on each other in a profound and moving way. They support each other even during the most trying times. They respect each other's medical opinion. But the core issue had to be the way that Conrad internalizes all of his feelings and feels the urge to be a savior in every aspect of his life. It was always just inferred that that's the reason why they broke up the first time around. And now, this hour utilizes flashbacks to show how the two first met, what their relationship was like and why it fell apart. The show incorporates a surprising miscarriage to further add to the melodrama on display. That feels like a twist that is purely setting up more conflict for the two of them as a couple. It's added on top of Conrad's violent outbursts which would normally be enough to explain why the relationship wasn't healthy then. And now, Conrad is proclaiming that he is a changed person who deserves to be trusted. Of course, he still has to put in more work to actually prove that to be true. It's easy to side with Nic at the moment in not being able to trust him fully despite the two of them dating once more. They both have to be very careful because they've gone down this road before. All of this is also thematically told through the patients they are dealing with this week. A husband and wife have the same mysterious illnesses that could link back to the guy's previous infidelities. Sure, the evidence doesn't ultimately support that. Instead, the cause is entirely from their love of pottery and doing it themselves in a room that isn't well-ventilated. That's unique and allows for Nic to seem a little more trusting of Conrad by the end of the hour. But again, these relationships take actual work in order to become better. At least Conrad is willing to admit that him asking others to perceive him as a changed man should extend to the same way that he views his father. He comes to that realization without it being forced or suggested to him. Bell has a difficult day with Marshall where it seems like the new Chairman is doing whatever it takes in order to spite the CEO. It is a complicated story as well because the show may be asking the audience to side with Bell because he has a better understanding of the way this new medical company could impact health care in this country. And yet, Marshall also proves himself as a smart and savvy businessman who is able to uncover absolutely every detail about any potential partner of his. That could make him a key asset to Chastain if he learns how to work with the team that is already in place. But again, that could happen because Conrad is extending the olive branch in the hopes that things will improve. Of course, the show also seems to be suggesting that one couple is crumbling apart as well. Devon seems so enamored with Julian. He sees a lucrative opportunity just waiting to be developed as a medical device. Julian is the entry point into that world. But they also seem to be getting very close even though she's helping him learn how to dance for his wedding to Priya. Now, Priya has been important in the past. But Julian feels much more connected to the hospital which could lead to her ultimately being more vital to Devon's storyline this season - with Mina also noting how strangely close they have already gotten.